Since my conversion to Mormonism I have found great satisfaction within the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mormon theology is very rewarding to me. It excites and satisfies me. It adds depth and meaning to what would have been a tragic and otherwise aimless existence. I have no major issues with the History of the Church, or its teachings, doctrines, or faith based claims. However, over the years, and especially as I approach my 40′s, I find that my biggest “issue” is not with Mormonism, but with God himself and the problem of pain. (“pain” in this essay describes “innocent suffering”. Innocent suffering is not synonymous with evil. It is best described as the pain and suffering that cannot be attributed to our own choice(s), the choice of others, or the rare and special situation/trial designed by God to test our commitment to Him. (In this essay I’m going to largely ignore a free will theodicy and a soul- making theodicy in hopes to keep this specific to innocent suffering.)
C.S. Lewis has said:
“…the possibility of pain is inherent in the very existence of a world where souls can meet. When souls become wicked they will certainly use this possibility to hurt one another; and this, perhaps, accounts for four-fifths of the suffering of men.” Problem of Pain pg 86. (emphasis added)
Our world is fraught with pain because both you and I have the freedom to choose to do as we wish. According to Lewis, this accounts for four-fifths of the suffering of mankind. So where does God fit into the remaining part of the “pain” equation? God’s respect for the agency of man precludes his forceable interference in our choices. He allows and accepts the exercise of our free will, including our charitable offerings, and indeed our “sins and misdeeds” (D. Christofferson 2008), so that his “Atonement [may] ransom man from the Fall”. Out of respect for the sacrosanct nature of our agency, God will not override man’s agency through force, rather he chooses to influence us “by cpersuasion, by dlong-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;” (D&C 121) So as far as pain wrought by the choices of you or I, it appears God is unwilling to remove our agency, and force us to behave according to his commandments, (See Moses 4) nevertheless in our own personal Gethsemanes, he often often goes before our face, standing to the left and to our right, placed firmly in our hearts, with angels round about to bear us up. (see D&C 84:88)
So we are left with another aspect to the problem of pain. This part of the equation has nothing to do with the free will choice of others. “Since the mortal school is of such short duration, our tutoring Lord can be the Schoolmaster of the compressed curriculum.( Neal A. Maxwell, “‘From Whom All Blessings Flow’,” Ensign, May 1997, 11) Rarely, but according to our scriptural record, the Lord will say to those of us prepared and ready to drastically increase our discipleship, “I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.” D&C 132:51. So I will happily concede that in mortality, God remains the author and master tutor of our compressed curriculum, which at times seems to be accelerated by affliction.
Thus, it seems that pain may come from 4 sources. 3 of which we have discussed so far, namely:
- Our own choices
- The choices of others
- Special circumstances where God creates an individualized tutorial for our own benefit.
- The innocent suffering of millions where God seems to have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. Indeed, “nature hath a horror of it.” Theologia Germanica, xxc (emphasis added)
- Natural Disasters- Haiti, 2010 Earthquate – still counting. Most estimates now exceed 220,000 dead.
- Every year 15 million children die of hunger-
- In 2008, malaria caused nearly one million deaths, mostly among African children.
Without violating the agency of man, it seems that God could have prevented most of these atrocities. Which raises the question, “Does the problem of pain belong and end with God’s inactivity?” We have record of his providing food, water, healings, and rescues from bondage from our own scriptural canon- could he not at least help those who suffer innocently? The implications if I answer this interrogatory in the affirmative are more than frightening and troubling that I have been willing to accept over my lifetime as a member of the Church.
It is my assertion that minus the innocent suffering described above (those afflictions which cannot be attributed to the choices of mankind or the specialized tutorials authored by God), this life could easily provide the special circumstances to comfort and care for those in need, and to allow others to love and care for us. Mankind is perfectly capable through our own choices and the specialized tutorial of a loving God, to increase our individual discipleship while in this Earthly probation, to the point where we may be able to both testify and to become Celestial creatures who will feel welcomed and comfortable as we enter into the presence of the Lord.
” And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;” Abr 3:25
We are to be tested. Tested by our own experience and choice. Tested by the choices of others. Tested by God. By why on Earth would God need to include the innocent suffering which often has no developmental value at all. Why does God sit by while millions starve? Why does he allow the vital organs of young children to fail and the weeping of children to go unanswered? Besides, it is very likely that many who suffer innocently lack the cognitive abilities to “learn” from their experience.
“news that two cherished little ones had perished alone in a field on a bitter Saskatchewan night, wearing nothing more than T-shirts and diapers. Pearl Pauchay, the grief-stricken grandmother of little Kaydance Pauchay, 3, and her sister Santana, who was only a year old. “It’s sad to have a loss.
“…Both bodies had been covered by blowing snow. What little clothing they had offered the youngsters no chance of survival against a wind chill that had dipped around -50 C that night.” Yellow Quill Reserve
Could God not have provided raiment, shelter, food, or fire? My instinct is to say, “Of course he could.” So why didn’t he? This is the problem of innocent suffering and the horrific implications it has for God.
President Eyring said in this months Ensign, “To receive the gift of living with Him forever in families in the celestial kingdom, we must be able to live the laws of that kingdom (see D&C 88:22). He has given us commandments in this life to help us develop that capacity.” Accepting President Eyring’s statement at face vale it raises and objection and a question where I just can’t see how a 3 year old child who is suffering from malnutrition, malaria, and a very slow painful death needs these experiences, in order to develop a Celestial level of obedience.
Surely, an Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omni-benevolent God could have created a plan of salvation where our trials of obedience and growth could come from 3 sources, our own choices; the choices of others; and those special circumstances when the Lord chooses a custom tutorial. There is no need for hurricanes to bury young boys and girls under concrete only to die while crying out for their Mother and Father. Surely, the God I’ve come to know, who is full of grace, truth, and love, could have come up with a way in which all his children could have avoided the horrors of innocent suffering.
I have not dealt with the alleged pre-mortal acceptance of innocent suffering. I think it is a placebo in the form of a jagged little pill, that does not pass clinical trials.
Of course I express my limited understanding and foresight. Relative to God my ignorance is significant. But to be marginalized by members who say to me, “just have faith,” lacks depth or weight. Sometimes the “right” gospel answers spoken by those with the tongues of Angels still have the hollow tinny sound of “sounding brass”, or a “tinkling cymbal” (Cor 13:1)
Although it seems blasphemous to say, it appears God is complicit and incapable of creating a plan whereby innocent suffering is non-existent. Does that mean he is neither Omnipotent or Omniscient in the classical definitions of the world, or is he ultimately responsible for some of the evil in the world? I can’t seem to reconcile the God of love I know through Mormonism- with the suffering of millions of his children throughout the world.
Thoughts?
Big UP!
S.E. Pauni
